Town Meeting, Night 2: Several budgets pass on Finance Committee's advice
BY Scott Merzbach
Staff Writer
Published on May 02, 2008
AMHERST - In its second session, Town Meeting approved budgets this week for the Department of Public Works, the Planning, Conservation and Inspections departments and Community Services Department, making no changes to Finance Committee recommendations.
Though some Town Meeting members proposed amendments to increase the public works and community services budgets, and make reductions to the Planning Department staffing, all were rejected at Wednesday's second session of the town's 249th annual Town Meeting.
Members approved the $1.73 million budget for the Department of Public Works, which is up 2.2 percent, or $36,473, over this year's budget, and maintains the 26.9 full-time equivalent employees.
An amendment by Vince O'Connor of Precinct 1 to increase the public works budget by $60,000, arguing that the town is spending $100,000 less than it takes in from excise taxes, was defeated by voice vote.
O'Connor said that the additional money could help the town deal with antiquated traffic lights, planning for paving roads and repairing potholes.
DPW Superintendent Guilford Mooring acknowledged there was a "bumper crop" of potholes this spring and that the budget has no extra money for filling them.
"There was no additional funds put in for potholes," Mooring said. "We've spent the line item for asphalt already." But Mooring said his crews are patching potholes on Kellogg Avenue this week and will continue doing the work it can.
Town Manager Larry Shaffer told Town Meeting that a comprehensive review of all town roads is going to soon take place and eventually there will be a proposal for dealing with all of the road problems as a package.
"We're going to take a look at that whole issue," Shaffer said.
Town Meeting approved an $851,853 budget for planning, conservation and inspections, despite three efforts to reduce the budget by anywhere from $36,861 and $85,843. The final tally vote in favor of the proposed budget was 121-52, meaning the proposed cuts had been rejected.
The budget, even without further trims, represents a $20,028 decrease, or 2.3 percent drop, from this year's budget.
Robie Hubley of Precinct 9 said maintaining the detailed permitting process is important to the quality of life in Amherst. "It's what makes life here special," Hubley said.
Flo Stern of Precinct 1 agreed with this sentiment, noting that Amherst has a planning process that depends on talented staff.
Hwei-Ling Greeney of Precinct 10 proposed the largest cut at $85,843, which would mean eliminating both currently vacant positions in the Planning Department and reducing its permanent staff to three. Even then, Amherst would have more staffing than either South Hadley or Belchertown, the latter of which has a land mass twice that of Amherst's, she said.
James Smith of Precinct 6 suggested an $80,000 cut in the Planning Department.
Finally, Stan Gawle of Precinct 2 proposed cutting only the vacant planning position with a salary of $36,861, the so-called junior planner, suggesting that the other position, a senior planner, might be needed to work on the ongoing master plan process.
"Taxpayers should not be taxes for personnel services that aren't being provided to the public," Gawle said.
But Shaffer said losing the two positions would be going after the core of Amherst and the town's ability to staff committees.
Shaffer added that even though the two positions are vacant, he was able to use the money appropriated for each for both efficiencies, such as the purchase of laptops and a MUNIS record-keeping system, and consolidation within the departments, including the relocation of inspections to the second floor of Town Hall and installing new work stations.
Richard Morse of Precinct 7 questioned how much authority Shaffer had to spend within departments after Town Meeting approved the budgets. Shaffer said once a budget is approved, he has full discretion on how the money is spent.
The session ended with the approval of the $1.7 million budget for community services, a decrease of $44,037, or 2.5 percent, from this year's $1.74 million budget.
O'Connor tried to adjust this figure by restoring subsidies so low-income children and families can participate in more programs. This was defeated by Town Meeting.
More budgets are expected to come before Town Meeting Monday (May 5), including general government, library services and the elementary and regional schools.
